The Relationship Between Addiction and Trauma

The Link Between Addiction and Trauma

What is Trauma?

Trauma refers to the emotional response to a fearful or life-threatening event and can result from accidents, parental neglect, sexual assault, violence, unstable home life, and more.

Unfortunately, approximately 60% of men and 50% of women experience trauma at least once in their lives.

Trauma and PTSD

While everyone has a different response to trauma, sometimes untreated trauma can develop into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 7-8% of the population suffer from PTSD at least once in their life, and this leads to unhealthy coping mechanisms that can include abusing drugs and alcohol.

The link between PTSD and addiction cannot be denied – 50% of those suffering from PTSD abuse alcohol and individuals with PTSD are three times as likely to abuse drugs as compared to people without PTSD.

Trauma and Addiction

The relationship between addiction and trauma is a complex one.

Traumatic experiences affect individuals’ daily lives and can affect everything from relationships to jobs.

Because of their emotional pain, many individuals self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. Since this isn’t a long-term solution, repeated use can turn into a substance use disorder.

Treating Trauma and Addiction

In order to treat addiction, it is imperative to treat the underlying causes, whether it’s comorbid diseases like depression or things like trauma.

It is only when this is addressed that individuals can develop healthy coping mechanisms, achieve sobriety, and return to their lives.

If the underlying cause of addiction isn’t treatment, the dependence on drugs or alcohol can be replaced with other dangerous habits, or even cause relapses. 

Fortunately, there are many evidence-based practices that can help you tackle both, trauma and addiction – cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and trauma-informed care are only some of the options available out there.

At Pathways Recovery Centers, we understand how trauma can adversely affect you or your loved one.

Because all experiences are different, we allow you to work closely with our therapists to come up with personalized treatment plans.

Our doctors are dually licensed and qualified to treat underlying conditions as well as addiction.

If you or a loved one want to address trauma and addiction, please don’t hesitate to contact us – with the different treatment options and individualized care we provide, we can help you overcome past trauma and achieve sobriety.